Silva: Blues Will 'Fight Together With Big Commitment'

Marco Silva insists his Everton team will “fight together with big commitment” as they strive to kick-start a positive run of form by securing maximum points against Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Portuguese believes victory over Eddie Howe’s side will give his team an important confidence boost as they aim to climb the Premier League table.

The Blues took 17 points from a possible 24 during an impressive run of form between September and November.

A difficult festive period followed but Everton still sit just four points off Leicester City in seventh place.

Boss Silva is expecting a tough test against Bournemouth – describing the Cherries as a team with “good style and good players” – but is confident his team can build on their third-round FA Cup success against Lincoln City last time out with another victory at Goodison Park.

“Before December, we had a fantastic run, with good performances, the team was playing really well and everyone was enjoying what we were doing... everyone happy with the results we achieved,” he said.

“The recent form wasn’t what we wanted but we are here to turn the results.

“We are fighting all together, with big commitment, and we will achieve that again.

“Bournemouth will be a tough game but we are playing at home and will do everything we can to win the match.

“The results are the key, of course they are the most important thing in football. If we have good results we will achieve our confidence to play very good football.”

At Tuesday night’s Everton General Meeting, Chief Executive, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, underlined the Club’s long-term vision to compete at the top end of the Premier League and regularly participate in European football.

Boss Silva says this ambition was key in his eagerness to join Everton – emphasising he will embrace the “fantastic challenge” of driving the Club forward.

“We have a goal as a club and part of it is to build a team that is stronger step by step and ready to challenge for these ambitions,” he said.

“We want to build and achieve in the future. It shows the ambition of the Club.

“It is a normal thing for a club like Everton. For me, as a manager, the players here working and the players we will have in future, it will be a fantastic challenge.”